The toddlers love sensory experiences, especially water play. On a warm June morning, we introduced a water exploration activity that encouraged children to investigate the concepts of floating and sinking using familiar classroom materials.
Outside, the children eagerly gathered around a large sensory bin filled with water, splashing and exploring. As toy boats were added, we discussed floating. “Look, the boats are floating on top of the water,” an educator observed. “What do you think will happen if the boat fills with water? Will it sink?” The children watched closely and then eagerly reached for the boats to continue their exploration.
Next, we introduced seashells and invited the children to make predictions. “What are these?” an educator asked. “Seashells!” Teddy replied. “Do you think they will float like the boats or sink to the bottom?” Together, we discovered that the shells sank, leading to conversations about heavy and light objects.
The children enjoyed examining the shells, describing them as “smooth,” “bumpy,” “big,” and “small.” Sierra excitedly shared, “Look at me! I have water in my shell,” after using it to scoop water. Soon, many friends were filling, pouring, transferring, and dumping water using shells, boats, and containers.
Later, we extended the investigation by adding leaves and rocks to the water. Together, we discovered that the leaves floated while the rocks sank with a splash. Through this hands-on experience, the children explored early scientific concepts, strengthened their language skills, and engaged in meaningful sensory play.
